The rooms are small; there's no A/C; it's a 50's-retro feeling motor hotel -- but we just loved it, turning a two night intended stay into a four nighter -- and still hated to leave.
What made it great for us: the elevation, cool temps, mountain views (you are just elevated over the roadway, so all you see are mountains); the personal attention to detail and friendliness of the owners; proximity to the Parkway; and clean & comfy (if a bit rustic and retro) accommodations. Plus, the reasonable cost -- a relief after 10 days of more expensive (and less comfortable, really) historic inns and B & B's.
We found it relaxing, homey, laid-back --sort of like Maggie Valley itself, which is a little retro-tacky and slightly shabby in a fun way, but also friendly, personal, and welcoming. Got to know the Russian students who worked at the motel and area restaurants; also became very attached to Tiger, one of the owners' three resident kitty cats.
If you want the Ritz, this isn't it -- or if you are nit-picky about a ladybug in the room and want a standardized generic hotel find a Hampton -- but the Abbey was a good experience for us. We definitely want to go back.

After reading several reviews, I eagerly booked a night at the Abbey Inn, only to be disappointed. Their website makes them sound secluded; however, you are on a main road, and we could hear cars/trucks/motorcycles all night. We needed to have our windows open because they don't have AC, so we had to listen to the noise. The room was small and desperately needed a remodel. There were cracks in the walls of the bathroom. Several of the pillows smelt moldy and there were tiny little dead bugs in the bathroom because the windows don't close securely. We would definitely not stay here again because there are other great places to stay in the valley which would have made us happier.

I had planned on staying for 2 days but ended up staying five days. The room was spotless, the beds comfy, and the motel quiet. Do believe what you hear about it being cooler on the mountain; I had to close the windows and turn off the ceiling fan each night so that i wouldn't catch cold in the middle of a summer heatwave so don't worry about there being no A/C there. The motel has great views since it's higher on the mountain than the other places, and you definitely feel like you're staying somewhere special; with the other motels lower in the valley, you wouldn't have known you were somewhere different. This motel is the closest to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the best views of the Smokey Mountains so it makes for a great starting point for all your destinations. The owners were just great, they do make you feel like family. Their suggestions on where to eat and what to do were right on the money. I'll make a return visit every year and can't wait for the fall foliage season!

Abbey Inn was an added bonus on our vacation in the mountains. It was very clean and quiet. The rooms were a bit small but that was not a problem for my husband, son and me. Ladies, there is no extra room for you to set out your toiletries in the bathroom. Again, that was not much of a problem for me. The owners are very nice. They made us feel very at home and had great recommendations on places to see, eat and shop.
The temperature was great - even without air conditioning. The view from the motel is spectacular. My husband and I enjoyed sitting out on one of the swings on the property and enjoying the mountain views. Overall, we had a great stay!